Testimonials

"Great leaders know that trusting relationships are the cornerstone of a successful organization. In Leading with Trust is like Sailing Downwind, Bob Whipple focuses on the importance of creating and building trust within your company-more critical than ever in today's turbulent business climate. Read this book today and you'll be applying it tomorrow."

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

"An exceptional ambassador of trust, Bob Whipple helps build great leaders. Leading With Trust Is Like Sailing Downwind highlights the simple but profound truth that trust is the driving force behind good leadership, and an invaluable performance multiplier for organizations. Whipple expertly empowers you to build a winning crew and puts the tiller in your hand. Well done!"

Stephen M. R. Covey, author of the New York Times best seller The Speed of Trust

Bob Whipple is one of the clearest thinkers I have come across in the trust profession. I have read over a dozen books on trust over the last year and suggest this book to anyone interested in this important subject. Any time I "dog ear" several quotes and learn something new- my reading time was well spent. Whipple has a unique take on what it takes to be trusted in a relationship- his concept of "reinforcing candor" is something that we should all embrace. A clear and an important read...

Jordan Kimmel - Co-founder of “Trust Across America”

When it comes to understanding the value and strategic importance of trust in the business world, Bob Whipple is without peer. He demonstrates this once again with his latest book, Leading with Trust is Like Sailing Downwind. Using practical examples to back up his concepts, Whipple brings what could be a watery, vague notion into sharp focus with urgency and immediacy. Readers come away with pragmatic, instantly implementable tactics based on trust that lead to real and profitable outcomes. Plus, it's just a fun read.

Tim Hayes, The Leadership Communication Expert™

We were delighted to work with Bob Whipple, The Trust Ambassador. With Bob’s help and guidance, we were able to have a huge impact on the culture of our group. Within one year, “Trust” became the #1 STRENGTH of our organization. Bob was also instrumental in the creation of our strategic plan, which kept our goals visible and resulted in numerous accomplishments by the team. This year, for the first time in the organization’s history, the entire team was involved in the creation of our strategic plan. I would highly recommend Bob’s services to any organization. Bob is easy to work with and facilitates group work with expert results.

Business, Life, and leadership are all about transitions. Bob Whipple’s Trust in Transition is your compass and sextant to navigate these stormy seas successfully. His easy-going style, humor, and friendliness put people at ease, so they are open, receptive, and even eager to change their behaviors. A master at his work.

Two years ago, a friend urged me to read Lee Iacocca's book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone. Although I liked it, BobWhipple more forcefully emphasizes that leadership languishes at all levels of American society. If it is bad at the top, it is just as bad at the bottom. Simply, Whipple's approach is practical rather than theoretical; leadership needs constant nuturing. What can every organization do to improve its leadership ranks, and what can WE do to improve ourselves?

Best of all, Whipple, like Iacocca, is experienced and believable. Twenty years ago, Whipple headed the Kodachrome film division at Eastman Kodak--then with more than 2,000 employees. In other words, he has been in the front lines of a major American corporation producing a product the world has known and loved. However, unlike Lee Iacocca, he keeps most of that to himself. This book is not about Robert Whipple. Whipple rather wants us to understand that even the janitor can and should "succeed."

I admit I was surprised to find that a book already with 16 reviews has an Amazon sales rank above 4 million. Then again, my copy was not purchased at Amazon, either. Rather, I came to these pages seeking insight into the thoughts of other readers. With the exception of one idiot who didn't even bother to read the book, I was impressed by the reinforcement those readers offered. Is this book then on the verge of "breaking out," as my own publisher likes to say? It most certainly has that quality. Rarely have I better understood why so many institutions keep failing the American public (Obamacare, anyone?). Leadership is about remaining honest rather than shoving the truth under the rug. In the final analysis, Whipple is telling us exactly that. We can never have the country we want by constantly evading the consequences of our actions. Finger-pointing is never leadership. He has my vote and is deserving of yours.

"It's a must read for all students - and ALL business professionals. I hope you don't see yourself in his stories, but if you do... even if it's just a hint...please buy this book and learn the ins and outs of true E-Body Language. I have been wishing someone would write this book for years!"

Author and Publisher

“Understanding E-Body Language is a book that all professionals should read...”

Bob Whipple has taken his many years experience as a leader and shared this with us in this book. He focused on trust and on removing the mystery about this most valued part of a relationship to help us realize its power but also its simplicity. Every manager and leader can lead with trust- and more importantly, should lead with trust. This book shows you how to do that and tells you why it is so important.

Deborah Nixon "Trust Diva" Trust Learning Solutions Toronto,Canada

“The TRUST Factor is one of the top books in the field of leadership.”

"The TRUST Factor is a must-read book for everyone seeking in depth knowledge of leadership principles. I have read many leadership books, and I can confidently say that The TRUST Factor is one of the top books in the field of leadership. The principles learned and the skills acquired from the book, which I use daily, continue to pay dividends in my professional and personal life. I have benefited greatly from reading The TRUST Factor."

Director of Operations - Melles Griot Photonics Systems Group

“I encourage leaders, managers, supervisors or those thinking about career planning to read Bob's book...”

I have read other books and articles on the subject of trust but few have motivated me to stop and analyze the "how to's" of creating trusting relationships with colleagues, boss, direct report or those lower in the organization. Bob's practical thought process and principles of trust are easy to understand and relate to one's personal leadership role and behavior. Leaders can't survive without feedback and part of feedback is the opportunity to look at one's behavior and think about how others react to you and honestly answer the questions around ethics, values and trust. Bob's book makes this process pleasant and approaches the subject without fear of the unknown or negativity. I encourage leaders, managers, supervisors or those thinking about career planning to read Bob's book and give this subject serious thought and practice. This book also provides language to use when asking for feedback on a sensitive subject.

Whipple, who has been named one of the top 100 thought leaders in the country, takes the concept of trust to a new level with his theory of reinforcing candor and the ratchet effect. His model for building trust has been recognized by Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard and reinforces that trust is one of the greatest characteristics a leader can develop with his/her team.

I am way less concerned about the context for this book, as identified in the title, as I am about the content, which I found to be immensely instructive, helpful and meaningful.

As someone who spends most of my time working inside organizations to assist them in creating high trust working enviromnments, I found this book to be right on the money in terms of its core philospohy and main message. I definitely recommend it to both internal and external practioners who are committed to more highly functioning workplaces.

James W. Mahan,Fairpoort,NY

“... taking teams further and faster and making the leader's job more rewarding.”

Every good leader instinctively knows the importance of a high-trust environment. Bob Whipple's book provides insight on the why and how to build trust ... taking teams further and faster and making the leader's job more rewarding.

Jerry Runser,Rochester,NY

“
"Bob Whipple is one of the clearest thinkers I have come across in the trust profession."”

Bob Whipple is one of the clearest thinkers I have come across in the trust profession. I have read over a dozen books on trust over the last year and suggest this book to anyone interested in this important subject. Any time I "dog ear" several quotes and learn something new- my reading time was well spent. Whipple has a unique take on what it takes to be trusted in a relationship- his concept of "reinforcing candor" is something that we should all embrace. A clear and an important read...

Bob Whipple writes from the heart, and from experience, for every every leader at every level. Of all the leadership competencies, trust is foundational. Whipple's trust model, with Reinforcing Candor at the heart, clearly spells out the enabling actions that a leader can practice every day to create a positive trust account. He uses stories and examples that are easy to relate to, and to learn from, in many different situations. "Leading with Trust..." is the kind of book you want to carry with you and share with others - it's that important.

"Great leaders know that trusting relationships are the cornerstone of a successful organization. In Leading with Trust is like Sailing Downwind, Bob Whipple focuses on the importance of creating and building trust within your company-more critical than ever in today's turbulent business climate. Read this book today and you'll be applying it tomorrow."

Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

I highly recommend Bob Whipple as a trusted adviser and valued thought leader. In his book "Leading With Trust is Like Sailing Downwind", Bob provides an innovative and unique model for building trust that is easy to follow, yet profound in its implications. Bob's teachings on building trust as the cornerstone of leadership are visionary. Not only is he well versed and experienced in the areas of effective leadership, he clearly demonstrates a passion for the subject matter that I find unmatched in other writings. I highly recommend this book for anyone at any professional level that considers themselves to be a leader.

Paul Neumann,Rochester,NY

“This book is a treasure that should be on every manager's or supervisor's desk...”

This book is a treasure that should be on every manager's or supervisor's desk, not just on their bookshelves. I'm trying to figure out how to get my employer to have a mandatory workshop for everyone in the administration. In his concise and highly-readable book, Whipple addresses six myths about leadership, spells out thirteen truths, and speaks to critical issues facing all leaders. By giving specifics that apply to a variety of structures and situations, Whipple has created a resourse that will help leaders understand how to create an effective team that uses time wisely in pursuit of worthy goals.

Bob Whipple has written a compelling look at trust in the workplace. While trust has been examined before, Bob takes a more practical,common-sense approach which addresses the myths of leadership; the behaviors of high trust leaders; and the critical importance of reinforcing candor. I like the connections Bob makes to Emotional Intelligence; his knowledgeable (and useful) references to other leadership works; and his great quotations. In sum, this is a short, thought-provoking book on trust that all managers should read, and all organization consultants should reference.

Seth Silver,Rochester,NY

“
Whipple expertly empowers you to build a winning crew and puts the tiller in your hand.”

"An exceptional ambassador of trust, Bob Whipple helps build great leaders. Leading With Trust Is Like Sailing Downwind highlights the simple but profound truth that trust is the driving force behind good leadership, and an invaluable performance multiplier for organizations. Whipple expertly empowers you to build a winning crew and puts the tiller in your hand. Well done!"

Stephen M. R. Covey, author of the New York Times best seller The Speed of Trust

This is one of the best books that I have read all year. Its contents I would recommend not only to those in management or aspiring management, but for workers of all stations who are interested in acquiring a more productive interpersonal perspective/strategy at work. I found it to be a smooth read with plenty of thought provoking content, an excellent read for your entire company, mandatory for management.

When it comes to understanding the value and strategic importance of trust in the business world, Bob Whipple is without peer. He demonstrates this once again with his latest book, Leading with Trust is Like Sailing Downwind. Using practical examples to back up his concepts, Whipple brings what could be a watery, vague notion into sharp focus with urgency and immediacy. Readers come away with pragmatic, instantly implementable tactics based on trust that lead to real and profitable outcomes. Plus, it's just a fun read.

The first book of Bob's I read was "Understanding E-Body Language: Building Trust Online." His next book, "Leading with Trust," is even better than his first. Too many business leaders today emphasize short-term actions rather than fully embracing long-term growth and development strategies that truly improve an organization. The short-term actions often neglect the basic human factors that build trust and improve workforce effectiveness. "Leading with Trust" is an excellent book that all leaders may want to read. The advice in the book is consistent with the research about effective leadership while also including simple, practical advice about building the trust and commitment among employees that will lead organizations to long-term success.

"The TRUST Factor draws from real life experiences and provides the reader with an easily understandable guide to leadership. The insight it provides isn't something that can be gained in a short time. I would recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in enhancing his or her leadership abilities."

St. John Fisher College Fall 2009 and Summer 2010 Review
Bob is a wonderful mentor and an extremely encouraging public speaker. He has the ability to connect with the audience and grasp their unfaltering attention with his seemingly effortless and contagious energy, coupled with his vast array of knowledge on the subjects which he speaks of. Bob consistently communicates and delivers his messages with clarity and a great deal of passion. Not only are his presentations informative, but also, engaging and motivating as well. This unique combination of qualities is oftentimes difficult to find in public speakers, but Bob certainly maintains all of these qualities and it is truly a pleasure to attend one of his seminars.

Whether online or in person, the leadership coaching and training anyone will receive from Bob will be sterling. In my 47 years, I have never before had the pleasure of acquiring mentoring on this topic from anyone who had as much straight-forward, sound, beneficial, and learned advice to impart.

Bob Whipple has outstanding skills working with large and small groups. His unique perspectives on building and maintaining TRUST in organizations would be of high interest to senior leaders in any organization.

Corporate VP,Rochester,NY

“He ignites the willingness to learn and desire to apply the new-found knowledge.”

No other program compares to this one for the usefulness in daily operations as I conduct my leadership and management roles. Bob Whipple's style of stimulating the desire to learn is what leaders should demonstrate at all levels. I attribute my enthusiasm to Bob's facilitation style. He ignites the willingness to learn and desire to apply the new-found knowledge.

Director of NursingMayo Clinic,

“I have seen a more open atmosphere after our team worked with Bob Whipple...”

I have seen a more open atmosphere after our team worked with Bob Whipple of Leadergrow. The training was very helpful in moving us to a higher degree of leadership. I am seeing people use the team behaviors we generated to improve meeting efficiency and reduce interpersonal conflict. Our leaders greatly appreciated Bob’s facilitation style.

Bob Whipple presents information on advanced leadership skills in extremely practical terms. In an age where trust in leadership has been shaken from corporate and political scandals, anyone who aspires to become a great leader will profit from the insights and wisdom Bob has to offer.

After working with Leadergrow, our managers and supervisors are communicating better, and there is a higher bond of trust within the organization. I was particularly pleased to see that our leaders feel a higher level of support as a result of the training.

We would like to thank you for speaking at this year’s Leadership Best Practices conference. The feedback we received about your energy, the usefulness of the information you provided, and overall candor really made this event special. You were listed as one of the crowd favorites, and we are so very appreciative of your participation. We look forward to working with you in the future.

St. John Fisher College Fall 2009, Summer 2010 and Aquinas Institute, September 2010 Review

I found Bob to be instantly engaging and credible. His presentation style is relaxed yet he commands (and keeps) the attention of his audience. His presentations have been full of useful information that is easy to take back to the workplace and start using right away.

Christine Grout Aquinas Institute ,Rochester,NY

“He has the ability to connect with the audience and grasp their unfaltering attention...”

St. John Fisher College Fall 2009 and Summer 2010 Review
Bob is a wonderful mentor and an extremely encouraging public speaker. He has the ability to connect with the audience and grasp their unfaltering attention with his seemingly effortless and contagious energy, coupled with his vast array of knowledge on the subjects which he speaks of. Bob consistently communicates and delivers his messages with clarity and a great deal of passion. Not only are his presentations informative, but also, engaging and motivating as well. This unique combination of qualities is oftentimes difficult to find in public speakers, but Bob certainly maintains all of these qualities and it is truly a pleasure to attend one of his seminars.

Debbie A. Valle Lewis Tree Service,Rochester,NY

“...an outstanding facilitator who models his message of trust and candor.”

Bob is an outstanding facilitator who models his message of trust and candor. He creates an environment of safety for productive diagogue that tactfully challenges the status quo. He balances knowledge and good information with lightness and likeability.

Ingrid Gonzalez DeLapp

“Bob is a very engaging presenter blending theoretical ideas with practical examples.”

Spring 2008 & Fall 2009 National Human Resources Association Program & St. John Fisher College Review

Bob is a very engaging presenter blending theoretical ideas with practical examples. He translates very abstract concepts like trust, power, transparency and emotional capital into easy to understand aspects very familiar to anyone in the business world. He offers his own professional experiences and incorporates the experiences/ideas of those in attendance. I would welcome the opportunity to hear him speak again.

Jennifer Lake ABVI-Goodwill

“Bob has a unique way of providing information that makes you challenge yourself...”

Roberts Wesleyan College and Professional Leadership Development Program Review

My first experience with Bob was during a leadership program at Roberts Wesleyan where his passion for leadership and speaking ability drew me in. Bob has a unique way of providing information that makes you challenge yourself and truly see how others see you. He provides practical applications and brings a wealth of experience to his message. In the professional realm, Bob did an excellent job customizing a program that dealt directly with the challenges a corporate leadership team was facing. In each session he engaged the team and kept everyone focused on the ultimately goal of improving our leadership skill and growing together as a team that lived the value of Trust. I look forward to an opportunity to work with Bob again.

Bob is extremely knowledgeable and has the abilty to communicate with passion, sincerity, and energy. Whether delivering a keynote address or speaking to conference participants on a one-to-one basis, Bob inspires trust. He truly is the Trust Ambassador.

Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development, May 2010 Review

Bob facilitated an engaging and thought-provoking half-day workshop on the value of trust in an organization. We discussed the importance of trust in today's business world, and reviewed real-life examples of how poor transparency has lead to a loss of trust. We also explored ways to maintain and increase trust in the organization. Bob kept us engaged and entertained throughout! I hope I will have an opportunity to work with Bob again in the future.

Kate Beavin ,OK

“
...an engaging speaker who shares his wealth of knowledge in a humble, interactive and humorous manner.”

ASTD's ALC Conference, October 2010, Washington, DC

Bob Whipple is an engaging speaker who shares his wealth of knowledge in a humble, interactive and humorous manner. So many times, people only remember that a speaker was good; Bob was also effective. I remember laughing and I also remember the techniques he shared about brainstorming effectively. I respect him highly for how approachable and generous he is when providing guidance.

Maithreyee D. DubÃ

“Bob is a fun and engaging speaker who is passionate about business ethics and integrity.”

Bob is a fun and engaging speaker who is passionate about business ethics and integrity. I have known Bob for several years and after first hearing him speak, encouraged his speaking to our management group. With his knowledge, credibility and engaging style, I would recommend Bob to any group that wants to get serious about trust!-Maria Robare

Maria Robare The Summit Federal Credit Union ,Rochester,NY

“If you want a lively, relevant learning experience, you can trust that Bob will deliver!”

Bob clearly has a passion for improving businesses by the process of building up employees through training, measured guidance, mentoring, support, and real feedback that is frequent. In our seminar, Bob was able to help us visualize the possibilities by enganging us in small group exercises. Bob makes a direct link between how the soft skills deliver the hard stuff - the measured results that makes a business thrive - not just survive. If you want a lively, relevant learning experience, you can trust that Bob will deliver!

Mary E. Allen Gaylord Bros., Inc.,Rochester,NY

“...one of the most compelling speakers and presentations on 'Trust & Transparency...'”

I just finished listening to one of the most compelling speakers and presentations on "Trust & Transparency" with Bob Whipple of Leadergrow. If you have the opportunity to attend one of his presentations - go. But more important, I highly recommend you bring him in to your company to speak on this very important topic. Trust can move your numbers - Bob shows you how to move them in the right direction

Pam Bower ,Albany,NY

“
His style of speaking infuses his in-depth knowledge on the subject of leadership development with appropriate humor...”

Bob Whipple engages others with down to earth examples, and facilitates audience participation. His style of speaking infuses his in-depth knowledge on the subject of leadership development with appropriate humor, to make what could be a very dry subject easily digestible. Listening to Bob speak and reading his books is truly a pleasure.

Bob is very entertaining and informative which is a hard balance for presenters to find. He knows his material and guided the audience to the learning moments smoothly. He customized his presentation for his audience beautifully.

Bob was super at conveying information in a fresh and interesting way. His passion and knowledge of the subject came through. And the feedback ... can you say "Superman!" I love getting immediate feedback and Bob’s was always most helpful. Bob is great ... what more is there to say? If you ever have a chance to work with him, do it.

St. John Fisher College Fall 2009 and Summer 2010

Bob Whipple in my opinion is a rarity. He is one of the best speakers I have encountered. He has the abilty to engage his audience with his intellect, approachable manner, and hands on approach. In addition, he has the ability to effortlessly draw you in and teach you cutting edge material with humor and enthusiasm.

Suzanne Desfosses-Gilliam,Rochester,NY

“Bob was an engaging speaker, very knowledgeable and had great variety in discussion, activity and lecture.”

Bob spoke to the general audience at our annual conference that focused on the theme: Building Credibility in the Workplace. His presentation on "Trust and Transparency" was relevant to our theme and very well received by our audience. Bob was an engaging speaker, very knowledgeable and had great variety in discussion, activity and lecture. Support materials were very helpful and content was substantiated with great stories. I strongly recommend Bob and hope to have an opportunity to work with him again in the future.

Suzanne Weaver ASTD Eastern PA Chapter,PA

“Bob has that rare ability to both hold an audience's attention AND provide them valuable information, all in one presentation.”

“Bob Whipple provided a seminar on improving e-mail skills and building trust that was very well received and highly impactful. With Bob’s help, we are seeing a renewed energy on teamwork and excellent communications, especially online. We are developing a set of guidelines based on Bob’s coaching, and anticipate it will reduce e-mail traffic considerably while maintaining good flow of information.”

I spent a number of weeks with Bob in a leadership seminar at the Rochester Business Alliance. I found him to be incredibly helpful, informative, and did a tremendous job of explaining trust and communication concepts to a leadership "rookie", in a way that gives a brand new perspective. It is clear that Bob is knowledgeable about leadership and truly cares about growing leaders. I still have the course materials which I return to and cite frequently. I then spent another afternoon with Bob in the summer when he came to my organization for a seminar on e-body language, for everyone in the organization. The seminar was informative, motivating, and had humor in the right places. I would recommend Bob to anyone looking to challenge themselves as a leader, manager, and someone who wants to bring value to their organization.

W. Justin Barrett Pictometry International ,Rochester,NY

“...Bob is an expert in his field, comfortable with the material, and deftly able to relate quality concepts to real world activities.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the material Bob Whipple presented. There is a high level of quality in Bob's efforts which increased my value held my interest. I enjoyed learning about these concepts. It is clear to see Bob is an expert in his field, comfortable with the material, and deftly able to relate quality concepts to real world activities. A beneficial experience to say the least.

Not so very often, you come upon a faculty member that not only emanates a passion for teaching, but also a love for the students he or she touches. One such person I have befriended along my journey is Bob Whipple. This instructor taught me the most important lesson of all, and that is the importance of humanity. Bob taught me that reaching out to another person and touching a life in such a profound way as to forget your own self and the needs you might have in the moment, is the purpose of being. It was the golden rule on steroids...BE fully present to life. Bob has been the most selfless person I have ever crossed paths with, and one I hope to continue to collaborate with in the years ahead.

I have completed all but four courses in my Masters Curriculum. No other course compares to this one for the usefulness in daily operations as I conduct my leadership and management roles. Bob's pearls of wisdom and excerpts from his own writings helped in creating a thorough understanding of the concepts. I would love to take another course from Bob Whipple. His style of stimulating the desire to learn is what teachers, instructors, and facilitators should demonstrate at all levels of education.

Director of Nursing Resources, Mayo Clinic,Rochester,MN

“
I would be ecstatic to be able to take another course taught by Bob Whipple.”

I would be ecstatic to be able to take another course taught by Bob Whipple. I believe is feedback has been instrumental in my professional growth in Leadership. His insight to the subject matter is very thought provoking, and I have also learned more about team dynamics through his facilitating of the course.

Healthcare Executive,Spokane,WA

“If you want a lively, relevant learning experience, you can trust that Bob will deliver!”

Bob clearly has a passion for improving businesses by the process of building up employees through training, measured guidance, mentoring, support, and real feedback that is frequent. In our seminar, Bob was able to help us visualize the possibilities by enganging us in small group exercises. Bob makes a direct link between how the soft skills deliver the hard stuff - the measured results that makes a business thrive - not just survive. If you want a lively, relevant learning experience, you can trust that Bob will deliver!